USA is a community of leaders and learners who support and challenge one another through academic experiences, research and service that advance the Gulf Coast region and the world. South encourages creativity and discovery by linking experiential learning to real-world applications.
Read more

South is a place where students discover and strengthen their passions, find their career paths, and form connections that result in lifelong relationships. At South, we look at the world and see things that we have the power to change, affect and shape — together. So that’s exactly what we do, every single day.
Read more.

College is an exciting time for you and your student, and we want to help you navigate through making your decision and finding resources for your student. Our website offers connections to assist you with admissions and financial aid, directions and scheduling a visit, and housing and dining options.
Read more.

Throw up your J, and join us! Your National Alumni Association membership connects you with your fellow alumni, gives back to USA, and entitles you to great alumni benefits.
Read more.

A South education allows students to explore and develop interests that build the foundation of lifelong career paths. Our faculty are dedicated to helping students reach their maximum potential. And with more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, South provides plenty of avenues for discovery.
Read more.

USA researchers are problem-solvers and pioneers, and our faculty often collaborate across disciplines. The outcomes are high-quality scholarship, global partnerships, new information and opportunities, the transformation of traditional disciplines, and innovations that benefit society.
Read more.

South’s student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports, demonstrating excellence on the field and in the classroom. The Jaguars are a charter member of the Sun Belt Conference, and our alumni have gone on to notable professional careers in baseball, basketball, golf and football.
Read more.

USA VP for Research and Economic Development Named Recipient of First Catalyst Award

Lynne Chronister, USA vice president for research and economic development, is the
recipient of this year's Catalyst Award.

Lynne Chronister, USA vice president for research and economic development, has been named recipient of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s first Catalyst
Award for her economic development initiatives and leadership.

Chairman of the Board Michael Chambers made the announcement during the chamber’s
178th Annual Meeting on Tuesday. The award is given at the chair’s discretion to a person
who has “stepped up, to lead, to manage, to make things happen.”

He praised Chronister for her teamwork with the chamber, which led to southwest Alabama’s
designation as a Manufacturing Community, one of 12 in the nation, by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The designation gives
the area preference to $1.3 billion in federal funding to accelerate recovery of manufacturing
through long-term economic development strategies that attract and expand private
investment in manufacturing while increasing international trade and exports. She
is also instrumental in establishing Innovate Mobile, which aims to support innovation
and entrepreneurship through education, talent identification, a science and technology
park and financial network development.

“Lynne is a catalyst. Without her, and the team she assembled in these efforts, we
may have simply had a few good ideas. She was, in short, an agent of change for our
city,” Chambers said.

At USA, Chronister oversees research growth across the institution, including interdisciplinary
research efforts, resource development and orchestration of all phases of research
administration. Since assuming the job in 2012, Chronister has worked to connect USA
and the community’s research and economic development efforts. In addition to creating
new knowledge through basic and applied research, USA’s research program represents
a major industry for the region, pumping more than $60 million per year into the economy.

“We in Mobile are so fortunate to have the leadership we have,” Chronister said. “The
cooperation between the area’s business, industry and non-governmental entities, as
well as the city, county, and the Mobile Area Chamber, is unusually cooperative, and
that leads to success.”

USA President Tony Waldrop said that Chronister personifies the University’s commitment
to engagement with the community to achieve mutual goals.

“Lynne serves as an outstanding example of how the University working with community
organizations and businesses leads to successes beneficial for University faculty,
staff, students and the community as a whole,” Waldrop said.

Chronister formerly served as assistant vice provost for research and director of
sponsored programs at the University of Washington. She previously worked at USA,
serving as associate director of sponsored programs from 1988 to 1992 and earned her
master’s degree in public administration from the University. She holds a bachelor
of arts in psychology from the University of Vermont.